18/08/2009ARCHIVEDIPA Client Services Group presents "Big Achievers - an interview with Andrew Robertson"

Andrew W. Robertson was born in Zimbabwe to an entrepreneur father who started the country’s first chain of soft ice cream parlours. 

A graduate of Brown University, Rhode Island and the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law he embarked on the start of his meteoric rise through adland as a media planner at Ogilvy & Mather.  He quickly rose through the ranks and moved to JWT in 1989 with the hope of one day running the agency. Whilst there, he managed the agency’s Kelloggs account.  A year later, in 1990, Robin Wight lured him to become the Chief Executive of the then troubled WCRS.

The four-and-a-half years at WCRS were demanding, but Andrew was able to rebuild the agency’s fortunes with notable new business wins including BMW, Carling Black Label and the Prudential.

In 1995 Andrew left for AMV, and when, in 1999, the agency was purchased by Omnicom and merged with BBDO London to become AMV BBDO, Andrew took the helm as CEO of the combined company.

Whilst at AMV, Andrew became known as one member of a formidable trio along with Michael Baulk and Peter Souter. Ever stylish, with a distinctive flair for fashion, cars and management style, Robertson has always been considered mature beyond his years; he has an ability to exude calm in the face of adversity, as exhibited throughout his career.

In 2001, Andrew moved to New York to take the role of President and CEO of BBDO North America (at the age of 44, the youngest ever CEO of the global agency).
Andrew now oversees BBDO Worldwide’s 16,000 employees in 287 offices in 77 countries.

Come along to this live interview by Campaign's Claire Beale and gain the insights for yourself. The interview will give personal insights into some of the highs and lows and tips on how to juggle the work-life balance.

This event will be held on Tuesday 1st December at the Guardian Building, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Registration opens at 6:00pm and the interview will start at 6:30pm.

This is an IPA member only event, tickets are £25 +VAT.

Please note: bookings requesting to be paid by invoice will incur a 10% administration fee and tickets are non-refundable within 48 hours of the event.